AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -The Detroit Pistons were hanging out at the scorer's table as if it was a preseason game, joking around with a former teammate as he enjoyed a drink and nachos in the front row.

Philadelphia made them pay for it.

Andre Miller scored 20 points and Willie Green had a career playoff-high 17, helping the 76ers stun Detroit 90-86 Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Sixers forward Reggie Evans smiled when told the Pistons were shooting the breeze with Flip Murray during breaks in the game.

"That's good," Evans said.

Rasheed Wallace took the blame for the loss - despite having 24 points, nine rebounds and matching a franchise playoff record with seven blocks - but didn't think blowing a big lead had anything to do with talking to Murray.

"That's my man," Wallace explained.

The Eastern Conference's second-seeded team was expected to beat the seventh-seeded Sixers by double digits and did lead by 15 midway through the third quarter.

But Philadelphia refused to follow the script.

After the Sixers trailed 62-47, Green made two baskets during a 10-0 run that sparked a comeback.

"That kind of swung the momentum," Miller said.

Miller gave Philadelphia a lead midway through the fourth quarter for the first time since late in the first.

After Chauncey Billups missed three of four free throws and a layup in 2-plus minutes late in the game, he made two from the line to pull the Pistons within one with 45 seconds left.

Detroit's Jason Maxiell drew a charge on the ensuing possession, giving the home team a chance to avoid an upset.

The Pistons set up a play that created an open shot for Tayshaun Prince, but his jumper was short. After Andre Iguodala made one of two free throws with 11 seconds left, Wallace missed a shot near the basket that would have tied it at 88.

"I'm going to put this on me," Wallace said. "There's no excuses.

"The last bunny, that was a bucket I should've made. I'm going to take this one on the chin."

Iguodala made two free throws with 7 seconds left to seal the win.

"I'm pretty sure we shocked a lot of people," Evans said.

Both teams will get two days off before Detroit hosts Game 2 on Wednesday night.

The Pistons, who have advanced to five straight conference finals, hadn't lost a Game 1 in the first round since 2003 against Orlando.

Iguodala finished with a career playoff-high 16 points after a slow start, Evans had a career playoff-high 11 points and 14 rebounds and Thaddeus Young scored 10 for the Sixers in his postseason debut.

The Sixers started and closed strong despite being the least-experienced team in the playoffs, matching up with a team that trails only the San Antonio Spurs in combined playoff games.

"There's no question that we grew up in the second half," Philadelphia coach Maurice Cheeks said.

Philadelphia led by six points early in the game, but Detroit scored the last 11 points of the first quarter and held the Sixers scoreless for 5-plus minutes. That drought spilled into the second and included a cold stretch in which they made just 2-of-21 shots.

Wallace's 3-pointer midway through the second quarter capped a 23-6 run and gave the Pistons an 11-point lead.

The Sixers scored the first eight points of the second half and Detroit missed its first six shots before going on an 11-2 run to lead by 15.

The Pistons, notorious for their inconsistent effort, proved the cushion wasn't large enough.

This could be a last hourah for this team. The old boys need to kick it in the rectum and get the job done! Billups missing those free throws and Wallace missing that bunny at the end made me want to puke.

I've hated Reggie Evans ever since he tried groping Chris Kaman couple years ago. Now I hate him even worse.

_________________waiting for 2010 season.....

April 21st, 2008, 12:17 pm

wjb21ndtown

I can't stand Billups... I didn't want us to resign him when we did... IMO the league has altered the rules in a way that has hampered his ability to be effective. They have cracked down on physical play, which was the brunt of his game.

IMO that signing will be the start of a brief period of down fall for our team. I have no doubt that Joe can build it back up, and our young players look excellent, but Chanucy should have been out the door, along with his $13 mill a year salary.

My beef is, they should never had to shoot a 3 or make baskets at the end to tie or win, when they had a 15 pt lead at half, at home!!!

April 22nd, 2008, 5:46 pm

Yzermanx3

Walk On

Joined: April 5th, 2006, 5:04 pmPosts: 400Location: Rosebush Michigan

Series tied at 2-2. Stones better own up tommorrow at home! Flip said something I really liked and hope the pistons take it with them the rest of the way. He just talked about having fun and not being so up tight and worry bout every shot that they take. The've been around the block more than once. Have fun guys and let it RIP!!!!